Press Release
For Immediate Release
Concord, NH November 20, 2018,
New Conflict of Interest Policy for School Board Members
The School District Governance Association of New Hampshire is pleased to announce that it has created a Conflict of Interest model policy for school boards.
The policy directly prohibits hiring or contracting with relatives of the superintendent or any elected official in the school district, SAU, or any other district in the SAU. It further prohibits any school board member from having a direct personal or pecuniary interest in a contract with the school district, “nor shall a member or spouse of a member furnish directly any paid labor, equipment or supplies to the school district.”
The policy further states that,”[t]he restrictions placed on school board members by this policy applies equally and fully to the district’s Superintendent.”
SDGA President, Jody Underwood, Ph.D., says “Many school boards have ethics policies that are completely silent on conflicts of interest. Education Commissioner Edelblut recently released ‘New Hampshire Code of Ethics & Code of Conduct for Educational Professionals.’ With this increased attention to ethics and conduct standards for teachers and administrators, our policy for school board members comes at a perfect time. Our members tell us it is much needed, too.”
Anyone wishing to have a copy of the policy to adopt it in their district may access it at SDGANH.org.
The School District Governance Association of New Hampshire (SDGA) is a forum of experienced elected officials committed to:
- Educating elected school district officials as to their proper role and responsibilities;
- Promulgating best practices in good governance and prudent budgeting;
- Formulating model school district policies so boards will have an independent, alternative resource;
- Proposing and monitoring legislation that enhances local control in education and openness in administration.
— Press Contact: Donna Green 617-834-6556 (cell)
Jody S. Underwood, Ph.D.
President, School District Governance Association
SDGAofNH@gmail.com
